side effects of hctz
(hyde droe klor oh THYE a zide and ER beh sar tan)
Avalide
What is the most important information I should know about HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide)and irbesartan?
• Do not take HCTZ and irbesartan if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy side effects of hctz. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, irbesartan cancause injury and even death to the developing baby side effects of hctz. Notify your doctor immediatelyif you think you might be pregnant side effects of hctz.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities side effects of hctz. HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide) and irbesartan may cause dizziness ordrowsiness side effects of hctz. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities side effects of hctz. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position side effects of hctz.
• Stop taking HCTZ and irbesartan and contact your doctor if lightheadednessor fainting occurs side effects of hctz.
• Use alcohol cautiously side effects of hctz. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizzinessthat may occur while you are taking an HCTZ and irbesartan side effects of hctz.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight side effects of hctz. HCTZ and irbesartan may increasethe sensitivity of your skin to sunlight side effects of hctz. Use a sunscreen and wear protectiveclothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable side effects of hctz.
What are HCTZ and irbesartan?
• Irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor inhibitor, also called angiotensinII receptor antagonist, and is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) side effects of hctz.
• HCTZ is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) side effects of hctz. It increases the amount ofwater and salt you lose in your urine and decreases edema (swelling or fluidretention) side effects of hctz.
• Together, HCTZ and irbesartan are used to reduce hypertension (high bloodpressure) side effects of hctz.
• HCTZ and irbesartan may also be used for purposes other than those listedin this medication guide side effects of hctz.
Who should not take HCTZ and irbesartan?
• Do not take HCTZ and irbesartan without first talking to your doctorif you have an allergy to sulfa-based drugs such as sulfa antibiotics side effects of hctz. You mayhave an allergic reaction to hydrochlorothiazide side effects of hctz.
• Before taking HCTZ and irbesartan, tell your doctor if you
· have diabetes;
· have gout;
· have a collagen vascular disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus;
· have pancreatitis;
· have kidney disease;
· have liver disease;
· have high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides in your blood;
· have high levels of potassium in your blood; or
· are taking potassium a supplement (e.g., K-Dur, Klor-Con, others),or a potassium-sparing diuretic such as amiloride (Midamor), triamterene (Dyrenium,Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone) side effects of hctz.
• You may not be able to take HCTZ and irbesartan, or you may require adosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any ofthe conditions listed above side effects of hctz.
• HCTZ and irbesartan is in the FDA pregnancy category D side effects of hctz. This means thatit is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby side effects of hctz. When used during the secondand third trimesters of pregnancy, irbesartan can cause injury and even deathof the developing baby side effects of hctz. Do not take this medication if you are pregnant side effects of hctz.
• HCTZ passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant side effects of hctz. It is notknown whether irbesartan passes into breast milk side effects of hctz. Do not take this medicationwithout first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby side effects of hctz.
How should I take HCTZ and irbesartan?
• Take HCTZ and irbesartan exactly as directed by your doctor side effects of hctz. If you donot understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explainthem to you side effects of hctz.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water side effects of hctz.
• HCTZ and irbesartan can be taken with or without food side effects of hctz.
• Stop taking HCTZ and irbesartan and contact your doctor if lightheadednessor fainting occurs side effects of hctz.
• Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor side effects of hctz. If you stop taking this medication suddenly, your condition could become worse side effects of hctz.
• Store HCTZ and irbesartan at room temperature away from moisture andheat side effects of hctz.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember side effects of hctz. However, if it is almosttime for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularlyscheduled dose side effects of hctz. Do not take a double dose of this medication side effects of hctz.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention side effects of hctz.
• Symptoms of an overdose of HCTZ and irbesartan are not well known butmay include dizziness, weakness, fainting, fatigue, low blood pressure, andchanges in heart rate side effects of hctz.
What should I avoid while taking HCTZ and irbesartan?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities side effects of hctz. HCTZ and irbesartan may cause dizziness or drowsiness side effects of hctz. If you experiencedizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities side effects of hctz. Also, use caution when risingfrom a sitting or lying position side effects of hctz.
• Stop taking HCTZ and irbesartan and contact your doctor if lightheadednessor fainting occurs side effects of hctz.
• Use alcohol cautiously side effects of hctz. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizzinessthat may occur while you are taking HCTZ and irbesartan side effects of hctz.
• Avoid a diet high in salt side effects of hctz. Too much salt may cause your body to retainwater side effects of hctz. Talk to your doctor before making changes in your diet side effects of hctz.
• Do not use salt substitutes or take potassium supplements without firsttalking to your doctor side effects of hctz. HCTZ and irbesartan can affect potassium levels in yourbody side effects of hctz.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight side effects of hctz. HCTZ and irbesartan may increasethe sensitivity of your skin to sunlight side effects of hctz. Use a sunscreen and wear protectiveclothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable side effects of hctz.
• Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather side effects of hctz. It is easy to become dangerouslydehydrated while you are taking HCTZ and irbesartan side effects of hctz.
What are the possible side effects of HCTZ and irbesartan?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingthis medication and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· fast heartbeats;
· little or no urine;
· unusual fatigue, abnormal bleeding or bruising;
· yellow skin or eyes;
· confusion; or
· fainting side effects of hctz.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur side effects of hctz. Continueto take the medication and talk to your doctor if you experience
· dizziness;
· nausea or upset stomach;
· diarrhea;
· headache;
· cough;
· muscle pain or cramps;
· rash; or
· anxiety or nervousness side effects of hctz.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur side effects of hctz. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome side effects of hctz.
What other drugs will affect HCTZ and irbesartan?
• Before taking HCTZ and irbesartan, tell your doctor if you are taking
· a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others;
· a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor),spironolactone (Aldactone), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide);
· a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin,Advil, Nuprin), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), diclofenac (Cataflam,Voltaren), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro),naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), and others;
· an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide(Micronase, Glynase, Diabeta), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolazamide (Tolinase),or tolbutamide (Orinase);
· a steroid medicine such as prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone, others),methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Pediapred, Prelone), and others;
· cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
· lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others); or
· digoxin (Lanoxin) side effects of hctz.
• You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatmentif you are taking any of the medicines listed above side effects of hctz.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with HCTZ and irbesartanor affect your condition side effects of hctz. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines side effects of hctz.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about HCTZ and irbesartanwritten for health professionals that you may read side effects of hctz.
|
